1985 4x4 chevy 305 help!

Hey guys, I just picked up a 1985 toyota pickup which had a 305 chevy v8 swap in it. There is no motor in it now but everything else seems to be there. Just wondering what would be the cheapest/most efficient move from here. How hard would it be to go to a 22r? Or should I try to find a 305 motor? Any input would be appreciated!

 

If its set up already I'd just get a 350

 

That's not the same thing as a 350 is it? He said it had a 305 but I keep hearing 350...I'm not familiar with chevy motors at all lol

 

Any V8 SBC will work.

 

But I feel like you're over your head with this vehicle already.

 

I got it for free...I would appreciate any HELPFUL input. I really dont have a need for those types of opinions. I have a guy who is really good with this stuff but he is out of town for the holidays so I'm getting some opinions on here...

 

Good luck with all of that.

Another thing free you could use is a bit of basic knowledge, but hey. Not what you want to hear. I get it.


Have fun.

 

350 > 305

 

A bit of basic knowledge? Lol. I would just rather have more positive opinions.

 

Any engine labeled as "Chevy Small Block" should fit in your truck. Chevy started producing that motor in 1955 and kept up production with some improvements along the way until the early 2000s. Displacement ranged from 262 all the way up to 400 cubic inches. Externally the motors should be nearly identical, it's the internals that change the displacement. A 305 and a 350 have an identical engine block with identical engine mounting locations, but the 350 has either a larger piston bore our longer piston stroke or both, to achieve more displacement.

Motors should be very cheap. Around here salvage yards can offer a running 350 with a 30 day warranty for like $500.

Try to find a carburated 350 from a 70s pick-up truck. The engines used in trucks had stronger bottom ends than those used in passenger cars. Truck blocks had 4 bolt main caps versus 2 bolt mains on cars. Main caps are the saddles that hold the crankshaft in the block. The more bolts the mains have the stronger the motor will be. I believe most of the new aluminum LS motors have 6 bolt main caps.

Basically a 350 and 305 will be identical on the outside, so there no reason not to opt for more power from the 350. Most of the 305s are from the era of emissions crunches and gas crisis (mid 70s to late 80s) and they are positively anemic. They usually made no more than 150 hp. As a general rule the older the engine the more power it likely makes. Some of the small block motors from the mid to late 60s made over 300 hp, but those motors are getting rare and expensive.

You can easily build a high hp motor, though. Small Block Chevy is probably the cheapest motor to build in the world. There are so many parts available. But like I said before the best option will likely be a truck motor from a 70s era pick-up. It won't be the most powerful option but it should still have close to double the hp of a 22r and probably more than double the torque!

Post up some pics, sounds like a cool truck!

Also check this out, has more detailed info than I can provide.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_small-block_engine#305

 

Hey weldo, I appreciate the input! That was the kind of info that I was looking for very helpful! I'm going to work on trying to find a motor in decent shape at my uncles salvage yard. I will post some pics later today when I get back out to the ranch! Sounds like a 350 is the way to go!

 

If your uncle runs a salvage yard, he should have all the what fit what books and know SBC. Also, get a Summit and JEGs catalog, they sell all the aftermarket goodies for these motors. And don't try to put too much power through the drivetrain, the driveshafts, axles and springs really can't take it.

Howard

 

Yeah I will see what he has. The truck supposedly had a brand new rear end built with new shocks and everything. Went back to the stock gearing after putting to much power to it lol.

 

I like everything Weldo said, but I'd add one refinement to it. OK, two.

Do you live somewhere you have to have the thing smogged? If so, your life will be more complicated.

Aside from that, Weldo recommended a carbureted engine. Conceptually simple, carburetors are still notoriously finicky for the average shade-tree mechanic to get working well. I could never personally do much other than make it worse. And they do wear out, and it's very difficult to get a replacement that works well.

EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) has been out for decades now - So personally I'd look to getting an EFI equipped engine if you're going for the 350 footprint. You'll need to source an EFI controller, but that shouldn't be too hard. Google is your friend here.

 

It had a fuel injected 305 in it before. It's got an electric fuel pump and all the wiring is still in the engine bay. I just hope everything is still there

 

EFI is preferable to a carb but it's usually so much more expensive, at least for an aftermarket setup. If you plan to reuse the wiring in the truck you may be forced to use an engine that is identical to the one that came out of it. I'm not sure if an EFI computer from a 305 would properly run a 350. And then there may be model year differences. A carb is indeed a bit finicky but they are not very difficult to rebuild if need be. It just opens up more possibilities if you are not tied down to a certain motor because of computer compatibility.

 

Smog testing is perhaps a hang up. Round here if you're under 5000 miles per year you can skip the emissions test, but you're still supposed to have all the factory smog equipment installed and working.

Also around here you can apply for a "Modified Vehicle Title" You send the DMV a few photos and a description of work done and how the vehicle is different from stock. Once you have a modified vehicle title I believe emissions testing is waived and maybe even safety inspection, I can't recall. It's a lot of red tape but perhaps the best legal choice.

Or for an '85 you can get a antique license plate. It also excludes you from yearly safety and emissions testing. However there are limitations on mileage your supposed to put on every year and your not supposed to drive at night. Maybe not a great choice for a daily driver.

 

I don't have to go through smog testing here.

 

I put a 305 in my jeep. If it went sour, I'd get the 350 for simplicity. unless you want to either replace a lot of things or bring it back from Frankentown. If I was to do it again, meh. Sure has a lot of power though.

 

This thread needs more drawlings.